LOS ANGELES -- A group representing
California religious schools has filed a lawsuit accusing the
University of California system of discriminating against high schools
that teach creationism and other conservative Christian viewpoints.

The
Association of Christian Schools International, which represents more
than 800 schools, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday claiming UC
admissions officials have refused to certify high school science
courses that use textbooks challenging Darwin's theory of evolution.
Other rejected courses include "Christianity's Influence in American
History."

According to the lawsuit, the Calvary Chapel
Christian School in Murrieta was told its courses were rejected because
they use textbooks printed by two Christian publishers, Bob Jones
University Press and A Beka Books.

Wendell E. Bird, a lawyer for the association, said the policy violates the rights of students and religious schools.

"A threat to one religion is a threat to all," he said.

UC
spokeswoman Ravi Poorsina said she could not comment, because the
university had not been served with the lawsuit. Still, she said the
university has a right to set course requirements.

"These
requirements were established after careful study by faculty and staff
to ensure that students who come here are fully prepared with broad
knowledge and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed,"
Poorsina.